Benefit breakfast on Saturday

This breakfast represents the dawn of a new day for a young life almost cut short for one Auburn family.

The Parker family is inviting the community to breakfast next month at Niffer’s Place for a pancake breakfast for Carly.

Less than a year ago, Carly Parker, 8, a third-grader at Ogletree Elementary School, was diagnosed with mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, a malignant tumor in her left sinus cavity.

The diagnosis of Carly’s condition came a day before Thanksgiving — a day, Miki Parker said she’ll never forget.

“I just remember hearing the doctor saying the words ‘fairly large tumor,’” said Parker. “I felt like I’d been tackled by the biggest defensive lineman. I was in total shock.”

Carly had a series of surgeries in Birmingham and Houston to remove her tumor, which to her parent’s relief had not spread. She also endured chemotherapy to rid her body of the cancer.

Carly, whose condition has greatly improved, has follow-up visits with doctors every six to 12 weeks to make sure the cancer has not returned.

It’s been through a combination of both faith and family that Miki Parker said they’re able to cope with their daughter’s situation.

“We prayed a lot and realized that God was in control of things,” said Parker, adding that, at times, she cried alone so she could project an image of strength for her daughter.

The staff at Niffer’s Place came up with the idea of the pancake breakfast for Carly, Miki Parker said.

“They approached us, and we gladly accepted. The have been such huge supporters of Carly,” she said. “This breakfast is a way to raise money so that we can give back to Children’s Hospital of Alabama and to cancer research.”

The Parkers hope to some day start their own foundation for childhood cancer research called the Love Carly Foundation.

While her parents thoughts are with other families with children going through what they have, Carly’s thoughts are on just being a child and enjoying activities like riding her scooter, dance class and spending time on the swing in her family’s backyard.

And that’s how her mother thinks it should be.

“Carly understands that she has had to battle a demon called cancer and that she’s an 8-year-old that had to grow up way too quickly,” Miki Parker said. “Now she’s happy to just be a normal kid again.”

If you go

What: Pancake breakfast for Carly

When: Nov.1, 2008 from 7 to 10 a.m.

Where: Niffer’s Place, 1151 Opelika Rd., Auburn

Tickets: $7 each.Only cash accepted.